Development: We are not going to marginalize any ethnic nationality-MD of DESOPADEC, Ochonogor, assures

The Managing Director/ CEO of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESPOADEC, Chief Festus Ochonogor, has assured that the Commission will not marginalize any ethnic nationality in terms of its core mandate of developing the oil-bearing communities.

Our Senior Roving Correspondent, reports that Chief Ochonogor, gave the assurance Monday March 11, at the PTI Conference Center, Effurun, Delta State, when Ndokwa Nation DESOPADEC Staff Association, NNDSA held a grand welcome ceremony for their Ndokwa illustrious sons in the Board of DESOPADEC.

The ceremony was held in honour of Chief Festus Ochonogor as well as Dr. Charles Olisa and Surv. Azuka Enebeli, the Commissioners representing Ndokwa Nationality in the Board of DESOPADEC.

The DESOPADEC Boss, commended NNDSA for the honour given to them, saying: “On behalf of the two Commissioners, we appreciate this honour you have given us today, we also want to use the opportunity to thank the state leadership for instituting the rotation power sharing principle, it is because of this rotational principle we have an Ndokwa indigene as MD.”

From Left- Surv. Azuka Enebeli, Chief Festus Ochonoghor & Dr Charles Olisa

Chief Ochonoghor implored staff of DESOPADEC, irrespective of their ethnic nationality, to work harmoniously with management of the Commission, to achieve their goals which is, development of mandate areas, saying, “the existence of the different ethnic groups, should not be at cross purposes, but for the success of the state.”

He added: “We should have the consciousness that Delta State is united, stable and progressive by our activities, we are not going to marginalize any ethnic nationality in terms of development.

“The Commission has an operational methodology we met and still use in operating, we will ensure all mandate areas are accessible and have equal distribution of resources.” 

He appealed to NNDSA, to support the leadership of the Board for impactful development, promising to improve the welfare of staff in the Commission. 

Chief Festus Ochonoghor (7^th from right, front row) alongside members of Ndokwa Nation DESOPADEC Staff Association

“We will do our best to add value and make significant impact in the Commission, but we cannot do this in isolation, we need the support of the state and for us to continue to enjoy the support of the state, we all have the responsibility as management and staff of DESOPADEC, to do well and be exemplary in conduct, stay away from crisis and inciting comments. We must continue to educate ourselves, learn from each other and be committed to ensuring development gets to the oil-bearing communities”, Ochonogor, advised. 

Chief Ochonogor promised to look into the request of a bus by NNDSA, urging members of NNDSA not to hesitate to reach out to management where there is a need. 

Earlier in his address, the Caretaker Chairman of NNDSA, Barr. Humphrey Omede, congratulated the MD of DESOPADEC and Commissioners representing Ndokwa Nation in the Board of the Commission, for their appointments, saying: “It is not by chance that you were appointed into the Board of DESOPADEC, but by divine arrangement.”

He commended them for their excellent track record in their various fields of work, noting that they would bring in their expertise in running the affairs of the Commission. 

Barr. Omede appealed to the Chief Ochonogor, to use his office to bring succor to the staff in terms of welfare especially in this time of economic downturn in the country, adding: “ We acknowledge the fact that you recently had talks with DSOPADEC Union; we appeal to you to see that issues that were raised are addressed with utmost good faith and speedily too.”

He noted that Ndokwa Nation DESOPADEC Staff Association, is the only ethnic nationality without a bus, appealing to the MD to look into their request for a bus. 

Barr. Omede called on the Board to execute landmark projects in Ndokwa Nation, while pledging their loyalty and commitment as staff to carry out assigned responsibilities. 

High point of the ceremony, was presentation of award plaques to Chief Festus Ochonoghor, Dr Charles Olisa and Surv. Azuka Enebeli.

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